EDC Folder For a Lefty

W

Wasz

Joined
Oct 2, 2002
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I don't post much but my younger brother is a lefty and it seems ive passed on some of my love of knives to him. hes carried a couple of my knives before but it just doesnt seem right for him to carry it in his right pocket so i want to buy him his own knife and set it up for him. it can be something that i can switch up the stud and the clip for as long as its predrilled and i dont have to do anything other than move the screws. I figured if i i could get some info anywhere it would be here thanks for the help in advance.
 
Most of Spyderco's FRN models' pocket clips are switchable right to left handed. IE: Delica. Any Benchmade AXIS lock knife will be ambidextrous. Stay away from most any liner or frame lock, unless it's a lefty-specific model, but I don't know any of these (lefties chime in here).
 
Wasz said:
I don't post much but my younger brother is a lefty and it seems ive passed on some of my love of knives to him. hes carried a couple of my knives before but it just doesnt seem right for him to carry it in his right pocket so i want to buy him his own knife and set it up for him. it can be something that i can switch up the stud and the clip for as long as its predrilled and i dont have to do anything other than move the screws. I figured if i i could get some info anywhere it would be here thanks for the help in advance.
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I'm a lefty, and the Benchmade Griptilian and Mini-Griptilian are my favorite "switchable" knives. and the quality is secong to none.
 
I'll seconed the Spyderco FRN recommendation. They are completely ambidextrous. My favorites are the Delica and Calypso Jr.
-Kevin
 
I'll second (3rd?) the Benchmade grip and mini-grip. I'm a lefty and that's what I carry most often.
 
Spyderco Delica/Endura and Salt models
Benchmade Griptillion models
Falkniven U-2

Paul
 
I'm a lefty, and the ONLY folder that I carry are Axis-lock Benchmades...They are PERFECT!, and has been mentioned a few times already, the (551) Griptilian or (556) Mini-Griptilian IS/ARE the one(s) to get.
 
glockman99 said:
I'm a lefty, and the ONLY folder that I carry are Axis-lock Benchmades...They are PERFECT!, and has been mentioned a few times already, the (551) Griptilian or (556) Mini-Griptilian IS/ARE the one(s) to get.
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My son is a lefty and chose the Griptilian. I like to carry a knife on my left side in addition to my right and find all of the axis locks lefty friendly.

Another good inexpensive knife that works well left handed in addition to the Spyderco's mentioned is the Camillus Heat. Its clip is switchable and the liner lock is lefty friendly although "right handed" in design.
 
I showed my sister (a southpaw) my Mini Grip and her reaction was "Neat!" I gave it to her to try out this weekend during a workshop on Sapelo Island. If she likes it I'm going to let her keep it and get myself a new one when I finally realize what I've done. :)
 
As a lefty, I can echo many of the suggestions above. Rather than specific recommendations, though, let me break it down a bit.

If the knife has a carry clip, it should be reversible so the knife can be carried on the left side. Many Spyderco's fit this bill, but beware of the higher priced models, some do not.

The lock should be something that can be operated equally well from either hand. The best options on this are the Benchmade Axis lock, and the good old lock back. When buying Spyderco's beware that some of them are not lockbacks. The liner lock is not ambidextrous, but it can easily be operated left handed. One of my favorite knives right now is the Buck-Strider Tarani. It's aliner lock, but the clip reverses, and it is one smooth knife.

For one handed opening knives, holes are obviously ambi-dextrous, but some knives with studs have them on only one side, so beware. Buck Strider's used to be this way. The stud was reversible, but still a PITA.

Don't be afraid of good old lockbacks like the buck 110 and 112. They are extremely capable knives, and totally ambi. I usually have some small lockback in my pocket for the situations needing a non-frightening knive.

If anything, shopping for fixed blades is worse than for lockbacks. Very vew sheaths are amibdextrous, and carrying a knife on the 'wrong' side is downright dangerous, at times. Let me say that "Lifter4Him" has made me some great sheaths, so I can actually use my fixed blades.

Usually, right now, my pocket has a Benchmade mini-griptilian with partial serrations, and a Spyderco Native III. I love my Calypso Junior too, and have been carrying, as I said, the Tarani. There are other benchmades and spyderco's on my dresser, as well as a line of customized buck 110's. Life is good.

Hope this helps, a little. And remember, only lefties are in their right minds.

Cheers,
Al
 
All the suggestions above are good ones but don't forget that custom makers and semi-custom makers will sometimes make versions of their knives left handed. My left hand Sebenza is a good example of this.
 
My sister's husband is left-handed. He was taking my Benchmade 943 and my Delica from the moment that he understands these knives are totally ambidextrous !!! :p I didn't stop him from going with my knives : he always has problems with is Spyderco Viele, so I'm happy to see him with more relevant and comfortable knives. :D
 
The Benchmade axis knives work well left handed. As a southpaw I prefer the Sebenza. I know they are expensive but I would have saved myself a lot of money and grief if I would have gotten the Sebbie first. :eek: :cool: ;)
 
I 'm with Scott. IMHO the Sebenza has been the best left handed knife I found to date. I would have saved money in the long run if I just gritted my teeth and got it to begin with. Now that I have it I'm kinda picky about what I consider left handed knives ;)
 
I'm left handed myself so I appreciate the problem.

If you want to keep the cost down, the various "Dozier design" Ka-Bar lock-back folders all have switchable thumb studs (or a hole in the blade ) and pocket clips so they can be easily converted for use with either hand. The blades are AUS8, the quality very good and, at around $20 street price, they are a screaming bargain.

If you don't need (or want) a pocket clip, the AG Russell "One Hand" knives, either the original metal handled version or the composition handled lightweight model, are completely ambidextrous.
 
Scott Dog said:
The Benchmade axis knives work well left handed. As a southpaw I prefer the Sebenza. I know they are expensive but I would have saved myself a lot of money and grief if I would have gotten the Sebbie first. :eek: :cool: ;)
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What Scott said. ;)

IMHO, save a lot of money and buy a regular wood inlay small LH Sebenza and you will be happy forever. :)
 
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